Here’s How Long Does the iOS 14.8.1 Update Take?

Apple’s iOS 14.8.1 update is a minor release, but it may take some time to install on your iPhone.

Apple has released a new version of iOS 14 and it brings a new set of changes to the iPhone. The iOS 14.8.1 update includes 12 security patches to help prevent damage to your device. No known features or bug fixes.

If you migrate your iPhone from iOS 14.8 to iOS 14.8.1, you will have the shortest changelist and smallest download size. The iOS 14.8.1 download should be just over a hundred megabytes for devices currently running iOS 14.8.

If you’re upgrading from an older version of iOS, your iOS 14.8.1 download may be much larger because the changes in the update(s) you skipped are ready.

While some of you may want to skip the iOS 14.8.1 download for now, most should install the software immediately or in the near future.

If you decide to install iOS 14.8.1 on your iPhone, you will want to take some time for the upgrade to install properly on your device.

Moving your device from one version of iOS to another can cause problems, so you’ll want to monitor the download and installation.

We cannot say exactly how long the process will take because it will vary. However, we can help you determine the approximate time you should take if you choose to install the new firmware on your iPhone.

If you’ve prepared yourself and your device for the move and have a fast Wi-Fi connection, it may take about 10 minutes to complete.

Pre-Installation

Before you start the iOS 14.8.1 download, make sure you’re ready.

If you don’t know how to properly prepare for an iOS upgrade, check out our pre-installation guide. It will guide you through the most important steps to take before starting the installation process.

You should be able to complete these steps within 30 minutes, but it all depends on your skill level and the current state of your iPhone.

If you haven’t backed up your data for a while or don’t know about iOS 14, iOS 14.0.1, iOS 14.1, iOS 14.2, iOS 14.2.1, iOS 14.3, iOS 14.4, iOS 14.4.1, iOS 14.4.2, iOS 14.5, iOS 14.5.1 , iOS 14.6, iOS 14.7, iOS 14.7.1, iOS 14.8 and/or iOS 14.8.1, pre-installation process may take longer.

You don’t need to follow every step in the guide, but you will at least want to make sure your phone’s data is backed up properly.

Data loss issues are pretty rare, but if you store sensitive data (photos, videos, etc.) on your device, it’s always better to be careful.

Download iOS 14.8.1

Once prepared, it’s time to start the download process.

Again, the exact size of your iOS 14.8.1 download will depend on your iPhone model and currently running iOS version.

If you’re using iOS 14.8, you’ll see the smallest download size. If you’re using an older version, your download may still be much larger.

If you’re on a fast Wi-Fi network and you’re up from iOS 14.8, the iOS 14.8.1 download can be completed in just a few minutes.

If your connection is slower or you’re exiting outdated iOS 14 software, you may be staring for 10 minutes or longer.

iOS 14.8.1 Installation

After your device has finished pulling iOS 14.8.1 from Apple servers, the installation process will begin. This may take longer than the download.

If you’re upgrading from iOS 14.8, your installation may take about seven or eight minutes to complete. Got just that on an iPhone 7.

Your iPhone may restart itself several times during the installation process, but this is completely normal. After the installation process is complete, your device should boot up normally.

Post install

After the installation is complete, you may need to spend time logging into your iCloud account, signing in to your device’s various apps and services, and/or setting up Apple Pay.

Also, you may want to spend some time checking your important data (photos, music, etc.) to make sure it is transferred correctly from iOS 13, iOS 14.0, iOS 14.0.1, iOS 14.1, iOS 14.2, iOS 14.2.1, iOS. 14.3, iOS 14.4, iOS 14.4.1, iOS 14.4.2, iOS 14.5, iOS 14.5.1, iOS 14.6, iOS 14.7, iOS 14.7.1 or iOS 14.8.

Once you’ve done that, be sure to test your core apps and services to make sure they’re working normally. New operating systems can cause applications to spiral out of control.

If you notice a problem with one or more of your apps, try downloading the latest version. Developers are rolling out iOS 14 support updates right now.

You’ll also want to tinker with your phone for bugs and performance issues. If you notice anything, check out our list of fixes for common iOS 14 issues.